Questions of war for U.S. Defense nominee

CIA chief Lean Panetta, President Barack Obama's pick to lead the Pentagon, told Congress that he expects the Iraqi government to ask Washington to keep some U.S. troops in the country beyond an end-2011 deadline for their withdrawal.
SOUNDBITE: CIA Director Leon Panetta, saying (English):
"It's clear to me that Iraq is considering the possibility of making a request for some kind of (troop) presence to remain there."
During his confirmation hearing for U.S. Defense Secretary, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham asked about the size of the drawdown of troops in Afghanistan, expected to begin next month.
SOUNDBITE: Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, saying (English):
"If he says 3 to 5,000 makes sense when it comes to July withdrawal from Afghanistan, would you give great consideration to that number?"
SOUNDBITE: CIA Director Leon Panetta, saying (English):
"I don't want to speculate as to the number.
SOUNDBITE: Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, saying (English):
"That is what he said, he said 3 to 5,000 would be a wise move in July. Would you consider that request?"
SOUNDBITE: CIA Director Leon Panetta, saying (English):
"Obviously Secretary Gates' position, General Petraeus' position and obviously the president's position, all of those views have to be considered."
SOUNDBITE: Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, saying (English):
"Would you agree that of all of us, Gates and Petraeus probably have the best view of anybody I know of ?"
SOUNDBITE: CIA Director Leon Panetta, saying (English):
"They've got a pretty good view."
On Libya, Panetta told senators that he believes Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi will ultimately step down and that a transition of power would be possible.
SOUNDBITE: CIA Director Leon Panetta, saying (English):
"I am confident that if we can get Gaddafi to step down, there are enough leaders in the opposition who can provide that continuity."
Current Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is expected to step down at the end of the month.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.

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